We are so honored and thrilled that you would have us join you on such an intimate and special day.

We want your wedding experience to be a memorable one and hope to help make things as easy as possible for you. So, we’ve put together this wedding guide to help you plan and prep- from getting ready to sparkler exits.

Let us know if you have questions along the way. We are always willing to help in any way that we can!

YOUR TIMELINE

We’ve created two different timelines to help you structure your day: one for couples who are going a first look and one for couples who are seeing each other for the first time down the aisle. Even if you have a wedding coordinator, we HIGHLY recommend you use OURtimeline. Every photographer is different and this timeline is structured around how long we usually spend documenting specific things so that your day goes smoothly and each and every thing is captured in a way we know you’ll love. We create our timelines based around sunset. In our templates, we use an example sunset time. So, all you’ll need to do is input the correct sunset time for your wedding day and adjust everything else from there.

Typically we take all of the personal detail shots during bridal prep. Gather everything you’d like photographed- dress, shoes, invitations, rings, jewelry, rings, perfume, and anything else sentimental and put it in one place so that we can take these photographs in a timely manner. If these detail shots are important to you, we recommend having a coordinating silk ribbon, flowers, greenery, or something else pretty to add some texture in your detail shots. If you aren’t sure where to get something like this or need a more specific suggestion on what to purchase, just ask us! We’re always down to help.

GETTING READY

Here are some things to consider when planning for your getting ready space.

Light: Most important bridal prep tip! Make sure their is ample natural light. We HIGHLY recommend their be enough light coming through the windows that we can turn off all artificial lights in the room. Position yourself facing a window before your MUA begins.

Decor: We suggest renting an air bnb with very little clutter and, in a perfect world, white walls. It also helps to assign a bridesmaid to keep the mess of clutter and clothes, bags, food, etc neat + tidy.

Distractions: It’s always a good idea to decide beforehand what kind of energy you want around you in the early hours of your wedding day. Do you want loud music + lots of people? Do you want quiet and only your closest friend in the room with you? Set expectations with family and friends so that your day is free of unnecessary stress. We can’t tell you what a bummer it is when a bride is stepping into her dress, starts to swell with excitement and tears and a family spoils the moment by yelling, “Hey can you solve ‘x’ problem really quick?” Let family and friends know that during bridal prep, specifically getting into your dress, to please let you enjoy these moments.

THAT FIRST LOOK

Many of our couples ask our opinions on first looks and the answer has always been that it 100% depends on the couple.

For some couples, it eliminates a lot of unnecessary stress: the schedule runs a little smoother and they get two see each other for the first time in a more private, intimate setting.

For others, that moment when they walk down the aisle and see each other for the first time is so important. They want that “first look” to be during the excitement of their ceremony and they want family and friends to be a part of it.

Both choices are awesome and we fully support either!

What we do suggest is, either way, make the decision based on what is meaningful to the two of you. Some couples choose to share personal vows during their first look OR share letters to each other when they aren’t seeing each other before the ceremony- both really intentional in keeping the focus of the day on each other.

FAMILY FORMALS

We ask that our couples keep the family shot list to less than 10 portraits (and we are happy to help you navigate this if mom is pushing for more). Family portraits can be extremely time consuming if things are unorganized, though we try and make them as quick and easy as possible. Make sure to tell family members who you’d like to participate in family portraits WHERE they will be and WHEN (and we suggest telling them 15 minutes earlier, just in case). We also ask that family members avoid taking their own photos during this time. It often leads to wandering eyes in the professional photographs and makes things take way longer than they should.

Bridal party portraits are a time to let loose a little bit. We’ll likely make you do a little bit of running around, lots of laughing, and most definitely bear hugs.
A couple of reminders- bridesmaids should have their bouquets and groomsmen should already have their boutonnieres pinned to their jackets. Make sure everyone knows where to be and when.

Ahhh, your wedding ceremony! We love to witness our couples sharing vows. There are a few things that will heavily impact your photos during your ceremony.

Light: Even, soft, evening light photographs like a dream. However, if the sun is still high, we suggest backlighting yourselves so that the sun is behind the officiant. That way, you are back lit evenly and don’t have orange sunlight and wonky shadows on one of your faces, while the other one of you is in a shadow. If you have questions about this, please ask! This one is important!!

Keep it Unplugged: HAVE AN UNPLUGGED CEREMONY! Encourage your guests to be present. We HIGHLY suggest putting a sign up or having something bold in your programs that you will not allow photographs or videos to be taken by guests at your ceremony. iPhones, iPads, and your uncles “professional camera” will get in the way, will be a disruption, and will be in your professional photos that you’re paying a lot of hard earned money for. If you’re not convinced, please ask us about the MANY horror stories we have seen/heard/experienced because of iPhones or cameras during the wedding ceremony.

RECEPTION

Reception lighting greatly varies by location. Most of our couples opt for an outdoor reception under twinkling market lights. We do out best to embrace the mood and grit and very rarely use flash outside of dance party photos. If you are lighting your reception with market lights and candles, GO NUTS! The more the better as far as photos go.

When our couples eat, we eat. No one enjoys being photographed while they are stuffing their faces, so we take this opportunity to get some food in our bellies and take a few minutes off of our feet before the dance party begins.

Friendly Reminder: feed us what you and your guests eat. Vendor meals generally consist of a PBJ or, at best, spaghetti. This is our only meal during our 8-10 hours of us being hard at work, documenting you and your wedding. Best case scenario, you have seats at a table with guests for us, both so that the catering staff doesn’t give you a hard time about feeding us an actual meal and so that we’re not instructed to sit somewhere where we could miss key moments. If you have questions about this, hit us up.

** Andria was recently diagnosed with celiacs disease and can no longer eat gluten. If your catering does not accommodate gluten free guests, no worries! Just please let us know so we can plan accordingly.

SPARKLER EXITS

Sparkler exits are a blast and create really magical photos. However, it’s important you do it before the majority of your guests leave so that there is enough light to illuminate your exit. We suggest you do one of two things you are considering a sparkler exit:

1. Make it an earlier night. We suggest scheduling your exit (or consider a “mock exit”) 45 mins to an hour after open dance floor begins.

2. If you’re having an outdoor reception- do a sparkler dance instead! Your guests circle around the dance floor and illuminate your first dance as husband and wife. If this is a possibility for you- we 100% PREFER this option because of how beautiful it is.

Make sure you purchase LONG sparklers.
If your venue doesn’t allow sparklers, confetti canons are another killer option on the dance floor or for your exit.

Preferred Vendors

If you are getting married in Arizona, here are some of our favorites. Getting married elsewhere? Just ask! We have made great connections all over!

NAVIGATE

The Shepards are a husband and wife wedding photography team documenting raw, honest love stories in Phoenix, Arizona and across the United States. They love to take photos of couples that capture who they are and how they love each other. They love adventure and aren’t afraid to take risks to get beautiful photos.